NDP celebrates success of "SAVE OUR TRAIN" campaign

Federal money to upgrade the track between Miramichi and Bathurst will save passenger rail services in eastern Canada

New Democrat MP Yvon Godin (Acadie-Bathurst) is relieved that the federal government has buckled under the pressure from citizens and the NDP to save the rail line between Miramichi and Bathurst.

“It’s thanks to Atlantic Canadians that we won this fight,” said Godin. “Your emails, letters of supports, the protests you took part in – it’s all thanks to you that the Bathurst-Miramichi line has been saved. Without your support, the Conservative government would have undoubtedly abandoned passenger rail services in our part of the country. Today, we can celebrate this victory together!”

On Monday morning, the federal Transport Minister provided VIA Rail with the necessary funds to restore 70 km of the railroad, thereby ensuring its maintenance for the next 15 years. Prior to this announcement, CN had not succeeded in finding a buyer for this important leg of eastern Canada’s railroad system. That’s why last month the NDP had asked the federal government to intervene.

“By working together, we can get things down. Meanwhile, where were the Conservative MPs from New Brunswick? They missed the train!” said Godin.

New Democrats hammered the government in the House of Commons, met with the directors of both CN and VIA Rail, and called on the communities to get mobilized with our campaign, “Let’s Save VIA Rail,” which included a train ride from Halifax to Ottawa with stops along the way.